The largest supermoon of 2025 will rise tonight, marking one of the most breathtaking celestial events of the year. The November full moon coincides with the Southern Taurid meteor shower, known for its dazzling fireball shooting stars.
In North America, November’s full moon is called the “Beaver Moon,” symbolizing the time when beavers become more active in preparation for winter. It’s also referred to as the Frost Moon, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
The Biggest and Brightest Moon of 2025
The moon reaches its full phase at 8:19 a.m. EST (1319 GMT) on November 5, just hours before it approaches its closest point to Earth in its 27-day elliptical orbit — a moment astronomers call perigee. Because of this timing, this November full moon will appear as the largest and brightest supermoon of 2025.
Though “supermoon” isn’t an official astronomical term, it’s widely used to describe a full moon that occurs within 90 percent of perigee, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when the moon is at apogee — its farthest distance from Earth.
What to Expect
To witness this spectacle, look toward the eastern horizon at sunset on November 5. The full lunar disk will shine brightly near the stars of the constellation Aries. The moon may appear yellow-orange near the horizon, due to Earth’s atmosphere scattering shorter blue wavelengths of light.
If cloudy skies threaten your view, don’t worry — you can still catch the November supermoon live via the Virtual Telescope Project’s free livestream, starting at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT).
As moonlight floods the autumn sky, it will beautifully illuminate the lunar maria (dark plains on the moon’s surface). However, the bright glow will make it harder to spot faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas during this phase.
So, whether you’re stargazing outdoors or watching from home, tonight’s 2025 supermoon promises an unforgettable show — the perfect combination of lunar brilliance and meteor magic.